Tendonitis.net
Quick tip:Stretching can help relax and lengthen a tendon, but never stretch
the painful and inflamed area, as this can worsen the tendonitis. Instead,
stretch the more pliable muscle around the tendon.

Tendonitis.net

Tendonitis/Tendinitis information and
treatment options

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How Tendonitis Occurs

A tendon is the end part of a muscle that attaches the
muscle to the bone. The normally very elastic and soft muscle tapers off
at the end to form the much more dense and stiff tendon. While this
density makes the tendons stronger, the lack of elasticity of the tendon
and the constant pulling on its attachment to the bone with movement, makes it
much more susceptible to a low level of tearing at a microscopic level.
This tearing will produce the inflammation and irritation known as tendinitis.
Often spelled tendonitis, either spelling is correct for this
condition. Tendinitis is usually seen after excessive
repetitive movement with which the tendon gradually becomes tighter until the
fibers start to tear. For example, a person who plays tennis may over-use the muscles of the elbow through hitting the ball repetitively and cause
tendonitis to the area.

Common Areas of Tendon inflammation

The most common tendon areas that become inflamed are the elbow,
wrist, biceps, shoulder (including rotator cuff attachments), leg, knee
(patellar), ankle, hip, and Achilles. Of course, tendonitis can will vary
with each person, as it strikes the areas you use most.

Tendonitis Symptoms

Symptoms can vary from an achy pain and stiffness to the
local area of the tendon, to a burning that surrounds the whole joint around the
inflamed tendon. With this condition, the pain is usually worse during and after
activity, and the tendon and joint area can become stiffer the following day.

Tendonitis Treatment

With proper care for the area, the pain in the tendon
should lessen over three weeks, but it should be noted that the healing of the
area continues and doesn't even peak until at least six weeks following the
initial injury. This is due to scar tissue formation, which initially acts
like the glue to bond the tissue back together. Scar tissue will continue
to form past six weeks in some cases and as long as a year in severe cases.
After 6 months this condition is considered chronic and much more difficult to
treat. The initial approach to treating tendonitis is to support and protect
the tendons by bracing any areas of the tendon that are being pulled on during
use. It is important to loosen up the tendon, lessen the pain, and minimize any
inflammation.

This can be done topically if a pain reliever has the
ability to penetrate the skin barrier and contains anti-inflammatory agents. A
topical formula that contains natural menthol will not only relieve pain, but
dilate the blood vessels. This allows for relief of the tendonitis, without
causing any stiffening of the tissue. MSM, also known as Methyl Sulfonyl
Methane is a natural supplement that is getting a lot of attention due to its
role in tissue healing at a cellular level. It is a natural organic sulfur
that comes from rain fall and is found naturally in the human body. It has
been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects on the tissues. See
all about
Glucosamine and MSM for more information this supplement. Ice can relieve inflammation, but will
constrict the blood vessels and further stiffen the tendon, so it should be used
in the acute stage (first 72 hours after onset) or as a post inflammation
reduction treatment after exercise. Cortisone injections
can reduce inflammation, but unfortunately are very caustic and can cause a
weakening of the tendon structure and a create more scar tissue. Dr.
Swartzburg, our site editor, worked in conjunction with our sponsor,
Relief-Mart, to develop a spray for Tendonitis called
Therapain Plus. It has all natural pain relievers plus 14,000mg of MSM and Glucosamine
which is clinically proven to decrease the symptoms of pain and inflammation,
while increasing flexibility.

After the scar
tissue has begun to accumulate, it will be important to perform procedures which
help break down the scar tissue in the tendon tissue, so as to let
the tendon and muscle regain it's normal flexibility and lessen the chance of further
injury. While exercise is appropriate for breaking down scar tissue once
the area has healed, it may further irritate the area during the initial stages.
Therefore, other methods that can be performed by your healthcare provider, such
as ultrasound and massage, may be safely used to accomplish this early on in the
injury. Ultrasound uses sound waves that vibrate a such a fast level, that it
cannot be felt with normal use. Ultrasound will cause an increase in
circulation to the tissue and soften the scar tissue to allow it to further
break down. Ultrasound can also be used as phonophoresis to help topical
pain and nutrient solutions reach further down into the tissues by transporting
them with the sound waves. Light stretches may also be performed if they do not cause any further
irritation to the area during the acute phase. During the sub-acute and
chronic phases of Tendonitis, more aggressive stretches can be performed,
however, it should be noted that stretches should focus on the muscle belly and
not attempt to lengthen the affected tendon. Additionally, you should not
feel any irritation in the tendon during these muscle stretches.

Tendonitis Prevention

Prevention of this condition requires stretching the
muscle on a regular basis and thereby lengthening the tendon connection. This
will allow less pulling and tractioning on the tendon attachment to the bone.
When tendonitis does occur, it is important to treat it immediately, and thereby
prevent it from reaching a stage that is more severe. That may require
that you stop whatever exercise or lifestyle activity that brought on the onset
of the condition temporarily, however, with proper treatment and prevention
techniques, tendonitis is fully manageable and can can heal properly without any
further complications.

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